King Cotton Still On Top

Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association Annual Meeting And Trade Show Set For April 5-6 In Lubbock

BY TONY WILLIAMS
TCGA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Despite challenges in 2017 from Hurricane Harvey and an early freeze in West Texas, the mindset among cotton farmers and ginners heading into this season is positive overall. The 2017 crop is projected to be the largest ever in the state of Texas at 9.5 million bales.

Ginners processed a large volume of cotton from the 2017 season, and from the producer’s standpoint, the market is decent, acres are forecast to be up in 2018, and some of today’s varieties are producing phenomenal yields and good quality. With the acreage increase and a little help from Mother Nature, we have the potential for another big cotton crop this year.

A lot of ginners are making equipment changes to increase their capacity, and there has been talk of new gins going up in the Panhandle and West Texas. Adobe Walls Gin just added another plant to its existing facility in Spearman, making it the largest gin in the country. And the company has plans for further expansion in 2018.

The Texas ginning industry is definitely gearing up to handle these big cotton crops.

Lummus Corp. was presented Best in Show – Division 1 during the Exhibitor Awards at the 2017 TCGA Annual Meeting and Trade Show.

Tribute To Texas Cotton
The theme for this year’s Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association Annual Meeting and Trade Show is “Texas — Where King Cotton Reigns.” Cotton is the No. 1 row crop in the state, and Texas is the No. 1 cotton producing state in the U.S. Following our biggest cotton crop ever, we thought it was appropriate to say King Cotton is still on top here in Texas.

Our show is the largest gathering of cotton gin equipment manufacturers and other businesses that provide parts or services to the ginning industry. Visitors from all regions of the Cotton Belt and around the world attend the event to learn about the latest developments in cotton ginning and to purchase equipment or services they need at their facilities.

Full-time gin employees can gain additional knowledge — especially regarding safety — and see the latest industry developments by attending the Southwest Ginners School, April 2-4. Many gin managers allow their employees to go to the school and then attend the show at the end of the week.

Activities ‘Sneak Peek’
Before the annual meeting and trade show kicks off, TCGA will host its annual golf tournament at Meadowbrook Golf Course on Wednesday, April 4. The show doors officially open at 9 a.m., Thursday, April 5, at the Lubbock Civic Center where more than 130 exhibitors will be on hand to inform you about their products or services. The day concludes with the “Taste of Lubbock Party” open to all show attendees.

On Friday, show hours are from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. During this time, Plains Cotton Growers Inc. also holds its annual meeting. The day ends with TCGA’s Awards Dinner and Vegas Night Celebration at the Overton Hotel.

Tickets for the awards dinner may be purchased at the show registration booth. Everyone is invited to the Vegas Night Celebration, and no ticket is required. For more information, visit our website at www.tcga.org.